Ornamental device



Feb. 4, 1958 c. F. GLASER ORNAMENTAL DEVICE Filed Nov. 17, 1954 INVENTOR. Clarence I Glaser BY W, nz w, am if $1M) AT T OR/VE Y5 United States Patent ORNAMENTAL DEVICE Clarence F. Glaser, Detroit, Mich.

Application November 17, 1954, Serial No. 469,435

Claims. (Cl. 41-10) The invention relates to novel and improved decorative articles, and to methods and means for making the same. The invention is particularly adapted for the manufacture of hanging ornaments such as window or display decorations, and Christmas tree ornaments.

As is universally recognized, practically all decorative articles of this nature have been made from thin, highly fragile material such as blown glass, and as a result there is a discouragingly high breakage loss from dropping the articles while hanging them, or removing them, or boxing them for transportation or storage. Artificial icicles of this character, for example, have a surface appearance not at all resembling a genuineicicle in appearance. While the present invention may be used for other purposes it will be described as adapted to the manufacture of an artificial icicle.

An object of the invention is to provide novel and improved articles of the nature indicated, which can be fabricated rapidly and cheaply, in such manner as to accurately simulate the object they are intended to represent.

A further object is to produce a decorative article in the nature of a Christmas tree ornament which very closely resembles the appearance and physical characteristics of a real icicle.

A further object of the invention is to provide a Christmas tree ornament as defined in the last preceding paragraph, which is easy to manufacture, and can be sold at low cost, which is relatively indestructible, and can be used for many years.

A further object of the invention is to provide a Christmas tree ornament of the character indicated which can be fabricated in large quantities by relatively unskilled personnel.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from a study of the following specification, in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of a preliminary step in the manufacture of my ornamental device.

Figs. 2 and 3 show successive steps in said manufacture.

Fig. 4 shows a plurality of said devices, at an intermediate stage, suspended for a brief period, in a receptacle containing adhesive material.

Fig. 5 is a side elevational View of a finished ornamental device.

Fig. 6 is a sectional view taken on the line 6-6 of Fig. 5.

As indicated in Fig. 1 and successive figures, I first cut from pliable sheet material, such as cardboard, heavy paper, Bristol board or cellulose acetate news print paper, a segment 10 of a circle, shown in Fig. l as a quadrant, and I roll it into a hollow cone 11 of approximately the usually-encountered proportions of an icicle. The cone may be retained in its rolled form by means of a little adhesive along the inner surface near the free, external edge. A solid (non-rolled) cone of paper pulp may be used.

2,821,802 Patented Feb. 4, 1958 The base of the cone is then filled with a mixture of' the following materials:

Percent by volume Asbestos pipe-covering powder 50 Plaster of Paris 20 Flour paste 30 This mix 12 hardens quite rapidly, but while it is still soft I insert the end of a wire hook 113 in such manner as to permanently retain the hook when the mixture fully hardens.

I now provide a receptacle 14 containing a liquid sealing material 15, and having thereabove a transverse rod 16 from which a plurality of the ornamental devices can be hung suspended in the liquid. Said liquid can be an organic plastic material in liquid form, possibly in solution in a solvent. I prefer a polyvinyl chloride sold widely under the trade designations Koroseal EC 866. A sufiicient amount of titanium dioxide is added to insure whiteness. By means of the rod 16, the suspended cones are then lifted out of the liquid until the coating on the cones is dry. Each hook may be temporarily retained in the position shown on the rod 16 by a drop of adhesive 17 for each hook. The polyvinyl coating is shown at 18 in Fig. 6.

Another container, not shown, is filled with a mixture of vermiculite, salt (sodium chloride) and liquid or dissolved organic plastic material. An assembly of suspended cones, as shown in Fig. 4, is lowered into this second step dip and it acquires a sheath or second coating such as shown at 19, Fig. 6. The vermiculite is an inexpensive filler and assists in keeping the salt in suspension.

When this second dipped coating dries, the article is given a third dip in water glass (sodium silicate) and while it is still wet I pour or blow comminuted embellishing material on it. Such material may be glass beads, metallic tinsel, diamond dust, salt, or other crystalline reflective particles. They adhere to the water glass coat and dry in place, thereby constituting a fourth or outer coating which of course may vary in continuity. In Fig. 6 the water glass coat is shown at 20 and the embellishing material at 21.

A further embodiment of my invention comprises the use of a solution of water glass to which I have added about 10% by volume of vermiculite, and a sufficient amount of titanium dioxide to whiten the mass, namely about 2 percent by volume. The vermiculite floats or maintains itself as near the surface as the amount of vermiculite permits, and when the cones are being withdrawn from the solution they are covered with a coating which is somewhat roughened by the vermiculite. The embellishment of diamond dust or other material heretofore suggested may then be supplied.

The finished article is relatively light, and strong enough to survive any normal impacts which might be suffered, for example, in dropping the article on the floor, or in handling it carelessly in crating or shipping articles in quantity. The appearance of the article simulates that of an icicle, except of course to the extent that it may have colored embellishing material thereon. It may be made relatively cheaply, and the first cost may be prorated over years of use since it lasts practically indefinitely.

While the invention has been illustrated in the simulation of an icicle, it is obvious that other ornamental shapes may be designed and formed to suit the desires of the user.

What I claim is:

1. A decorative article consisting of a conical body shell filled with a mixture of asbestos powder, plaster of Paris, and a hardenable paste, a first coating on said conical body consisting of a polyvinyl compound, a second coating on said first coating consisting of a mixture of vermiculite,

salt, an a polyvinyl compound, a third coating of sodium ilicate.-

2. A decorative article simulating the shape of an icicle, and consisting of a conical body shell filled with a mixture consisting of asbestos powder,-plas er oi Par and flour paste, a first coating on said conical, body Consisting of polyvinyl chloride, a second coating over said first coating consisting of a mixture of vermiculite, salt, and polyvinyl chloride, and a third coating over said, second coating consisting of sodium silicate.

3. A decorative article consisting of a conical body shell filled with a. mixture of asbestos. powder, plaster of Paris, and a hardenable paste, a first coating on said conical body consisting of a polyvinyl compound, a second coating over said first coating consisting of a mixture of vermiculite, salt, and a polyvinyl compound, a third coating, over said second coating consisting of sodium silicate, and a fourth coating over said third coating consisting of comminuted embellishing material of light reflective characteristics.

4. A decorative articleconsisting of a conical body shell filled with a mixture consisting of 50 percent by volume of asbestos powder, 20 percent by volume of plaster of Paris, and percent by volume of flour paste, a first coat ing on said conical body consisting of a polyvinyl compound, a second coating over said first coating consisting of a mixture of vermiculite, salt, and a polyvinyl compound, a third coating over said second coating consisting of sodium silicate, and a fourth coating over said third coating consisting of comminuted embellishing material of light-reflective characteristics.

5. A decorative article consisting of a conical body shell filled with a mixture of asbestosv powder, plaster of Paris, and a hardenable paste, and a coating on said body comprising a solution of water glass to which has been added about 10% by volume of vermiculite. containing sufiicient titanium dioxide to maintain whiteness.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,675,202 Warne June. 26, 1928 1,902,627 Elbogen Mar. 21,. 1933. 2,554,363 Glaser et al. May'22, '1 

1. A DECORATIVE ARTICLE CONSISTING OF A CONICAL BODY SHELL FILLED WITH A MIXTURE OF ABESTOS POWDER, PLASTER OF PARIS, AND A HARDENABLE PASTE, A FIRST COATING ON SAID CONICAL BODY CONSISTING OF A POLYVINYL COMPOUND, A SECOND COATING ON SAID FIRST COATING CONSISTING OF A MIXTURE OF VERMICULITE, SALT, AND A POLYVINYL COMPOUND, A THIRD COATING OF SODIUM SILICATE. 